Bike Lanes:
There was a notice in the paper that MLK Boulevard from Georgia Avenue to Central Avenue was being reduced from four lanes to three lanes so that bike lanes could be installed. After looking at a survey on the Chattanoogan.com that showed 98 percent of the people did not want this to happen, I am trying to understand why the people in the city were not given a voice on this matter.
Bike lanes were forced down our throat on Broad Street, which are hardly used by bikers, but is used by walkers. It seems to me that Mayor Berke’s administration, including Blythe Bailey, who is the department manager for these traffic issues, did not get or understand the message from the city’s citizens. That money could have been used to repave some of the streets so badly in need in the city. What a waste of taxpayer money.
The other issue I wish to address is the Hamilton County School Board, which is one of the most dysfunctional boards I have ever seen. Thankfully, my kids have been out of this school system for a number of years. There is not one of them qualified to be on the board, much less make decisions that affect the school system educationally or monetarily.
The school system is so important to the growth of this city as many companies look at what kind of school system we have. In this regard, we get an F as we have failed to have quality schools that educate our kids to compete or excel in our society.
Mark Shapiro